And in this article from the pre-poll thread, @randy2 shared a YouTube video, which strongly implies (without actually stating) that most commercial encryption products, including VPNs have been compromised or may actually be run by various global intelligence agencies, both from “friendly” and “hostile” nations.
I haven’t bothered trying to fact-check that video, because it’s all just amusement to me (since I still don’t see a need to use VPNs except as a means of accessing an otherwise private network). But for someone who thinks that a VPN is necessary in order to avoid being spied on by (insert your favorite corporate/government entity here), that information, if true, is critically important.